Can home grown cantaloupe have Listeria?

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I am quite sure that is it unlikely. I am guessing that the listeria came from tainted water supply from animals who use the bathroom around the cantaloupe fields. :O Best thing to do, wash the outside of your canteloupe... or any fruit with a skin you cut through or eat through before cutting/eating.

Cut the fruit only after a good washing, remove the fruit meat, then throw away the skin, rinse the fruit again. Wash all your surfaces before the fruit touches surfaces where the skin has been.

I'm linking a source I found today....Show more

The listeria outbreak from cantaloupes in the US has come from one source. That location is Jensen Farms in Colorado, and they shipped their cantaloupes to over 18 states where about 15 people have died from it. So there were some type of very unsanitary conditions at Jensen Farms that contributed to this deadly outbreak. But there are many, many farms that grow cantaloupes where this has not occurred, so if you practice safe procedures, you should be fine. Especially if you have grown cantaloupes in the past and they've been safe to eat for you....Show more

The Listeria contamination came from a specific source. You might have other bacteria on your home grown cantaloupe, if you are careless in your garden sanitation, but unless you are fertilizing your garden with uncomposted fecal matter, your risk is pretty low.

Nevertheless, it is a good idea to wash the exterior of your melons well and handle them carefully when you cut them up....Show more

i ate some today with the skin and everything just rinsed it through cold water and it had blue sticker it said CA..............i hope i dont die...Show more